Case shift control apparatus operable by a case shift key and by type keys

ABSTRACT

The case shift means of a typewriter is operated by drive means through a gear clutch actuated by a shift key, or by an other key moved beyond its depressed type actuating position. Interlock means prevent a typing operation during movement of the gear clutch and case shift means, and operation of the case shift means while a type action is operated, but the case shift command is stored, and case shift takes place when the typing operation is completed.

United States Patent Bonleitner et al. 45 Oct, 17, 1972 [5 CASE SHIFT CONTROL APPARATUS 1,443,070 l/1923 Dewing ..197/73 UX OPERABLE BY A CASE SHIFT KEY 1,642,606 9/1927 De Jouette ..74/435 AND BY TYPE KEYS 2,275,759 3/l942 Helmond ..197/74 [72] inventors: Wolfgang Bonleitner; Kurt Chvatlinfi 'Ti sky both of Wilhelmshaven' Walter lrigen rm g Sande a" dc; r 2,854,120 9/1958 Re1chle ..197/74 e m y 3,157,265 11/1964 Palmer ..197/72 x [73] Assignee: Olympia Werke Aktiengesellschaft, 3,212,616 10/1965 Frechette et a] ..197/17 X Wilhelmshaven, Germany 3,228,511 1/1966 Meinherz .....197/74 3,295,653 1/1967 Salto ..197/74 [22] 1969 3,386,554 6/1968 Everhard ..197/71 [21] Appl. No.: 854,612

Primary Examiner-Ernest T. Wright, Jr. [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Atmmey M1chael Smker Aug. 30, 1968 Germany ..P 17 86 197.1 [57] ABSTRACT The case shift means of a typewriter is operated by [52] US. Cl. ..197/71,llg97zglsllg97xg4i drive means through a g clutch actuated y a Shift [51] Int Cl 2 25/24 key, or by an other key moved beyond its depressed I 58] Fieid U138] 98 type actuating position. Interlock means prevent a typ- 1 ing operation during movement of the gear clutch and case shift means, and operation of the case shift means while a type action is operated, but the case shift com- [56] References Clted mand is stored, and case shift takes place when the UNITED STATES PATENTS yp Operation is completed- 1,057,013 3/1913 Smith ..197/73 X 12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHEI 1 7 I912- SHEET S [If 5 CASE SHIFT CONTROL APPARATUS OPERABLE BY A CASE SHIFT KEY AND BY TYPE KEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In order to obtain a high average typing speed, it is necessary that commands given by operation of keys in unrhythmical and too fastsuccession for carrying out case shift and typing operations, are mechanically stored and automatically carried out, as soon as possible, so that no delays can take place.

Apparatus is known by which during the case shift movement of the type carrier no typing operation can be started, and typing operations can only be carried out when the carrier is in a position associated with lower case characters, or in a position associated with upper case characters.

Other apparatus is known by which the case shift mechanism is automatically locked upon actuation of the shift key, and returns to its normal position after the following type key actuation.

The prior art has the disadvantage that in the event that the shift key and type key are unrhythmically operated in too rapid succession, the respective functions are not rhythmically carried out so that no uniform typing rhythm can be obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is one object of the invention to overcome the disadvantages of prior art constructions, and to provide an apparatus consisting of few and simple partsby which the driving motion is quickly and reliably transmitted to the carrier of the type actions so that even unrhythmically introduced case shift and typing functions take place at a uniform rhythm.

Another object of the invention is to prevent typing operations during case shift movements, and to prevent case shift movements during typing operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus by which a typing operation started during movement of the case shift means, is automatically stored until the case shift has been completed, and then automatically carried out.

Another object of the invention is to operate the case shift means by any type key which is depressed beyond its normal actuating position.

Another object of the invention is to carry out a case shift operation upon a short depression of the case shift key.

With these objects in view, the present invention relates to an apparatus which includes clutch means, preferably gear clutch means, which are adjustable to the speed of the typing mechanism of a typewriter, and which is controlled so that even unrhythmical and short impulse-like introduced commands for key shift and typing result in a continuous uniform sequence of typing operations.

The gear clutch has a clutch gear member with an interrupted gear rim in whose cutouts the gear teeth of a connector member can be placed. The clutch is driven by a drive gear at a lower speed than the drive gear.

One embodiment of the invention comprises rotary clutch means including a drive member, a clutch member, a connector member movable between a retracted position in which the drive member is separated from the clutch member, and a coupling position in which the drive member is connected with the clutch member for rotation, and biassing means.

urging the connector member to the coupling position; case shift means operated by the driven clutch member to effect a case shift operation of the typewriter; shift key means movable between a normal and an actuated position; actuating means operable by the shift key means and having a normal position retaining the connector member in the retracted position, and being moved by said shift key means in said actuating position to a releasing position releasing the connector member for movement to the coupling position, the actuating means in the releasing position engaging the connector member after turning movement of the same with the clutch member through a predetermined angle ,for moving the connector member back to the retracted position after the case shift has been effected; typing means including first control means and second control means; locking means operated by said connector member in the coupling position to lock the first control means and thereby the typing means so that the same cannot be operated during a case shift operation, and can be operated in the retracted position when the case shift operation has been completed; and arresting means for arresting the shift key means in the actuated position, and being operated by the second control means to release the shift key means for movement to the normal position when a typing operation of the typing means has been completed.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive member is a drive gear, the clutch member includes a clutch gear having an interrupted gear rim with at least'one cutout, and the connector member has gear teeth located in the cutout in the coupling position so that first the connector member and then the clutch gear are driven by the drive gear in the coupling position.

The clutch member includes a cam portion cooperating with a cam follower mounted on the type action carrier so that a case shift operation is effected during rotation of the clutch means.

The connector member also has a cam portion cooperating with a cam follower of the locking means.

The first control means preferably include blocking pawl means having an inoperative position, and a blocking position located in the path of movement of the connector member to the coupling position. The blocking pawl means move to the blocking position when the typing means with the first control means is operated so that the same cannot move to the coupling position while the typing means are operated.

The connector member has a stop projection against which the actuating means abuts in the normal position for retaining the connector member in the retracted position. The connector member is spaced in the retracted position from the blocking pawl means in the blocking position a predetermined distance so that the stop projection holds the actuating means in the releasing position while the connector member is displaced by biassing means to a position abutting the blocking pawl means. Only after completion of a typing operation, when the blocking pawl means moves to the inoperative position, the connector member moves to the coupling position so that the command for the typing operation is stored until the case shift operation has been completed.

The case shift key means is automatically arrested in the actuated position, but is released by being depressed to an even lower position against the action of a spring biassed member.

In accordance with the invention, spring loaded means engage the type key levers when the same are actuated, so that the operator feels resistance against moving the type keys further down. Such further movement of the type keys effects through a linkage with the actuating means, a case shift operation, so that a case shift operation can not only be introduced by the shift key, but also by any type key.

Due to the fact that the spring biassed connector member of the clutch means has a small mass, fast coupling engagement is assured. By selecting the spring of the biassing means, the gear teeth of the connector member can be moved at a higher speed than the speed of the teeth of the continuously rotating drive gear so that no delay is. caused by the engagement of the clutch. Due to the spring biassed connector member, inpact free motions of the parts of the clutch, and low wear are obtained.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. is a fragmentary side elevation, partially in section, illustrating an apparatus according to the invention in a position of rest;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation, partially in section, illustrating the apparatus in a first operational position after actuation of a shift key;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation, partially in section, illustrating the position of the apparatus after actuation of the shift key during operations of the typing means;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation, partially in section, illustrating the apparatus in a position assumed after the case shift has been carried out;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view illustrating a modification permitting automatic case shift upon short actuation of the shift key;

FIG. 6 is an axial sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 1 illustrating the clutch means and associated parts;

FIG. 7 is an axial sectional view along line 7-7 of FIG. 5 illustrating the clutch means and associated parts; and FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of the apparatus illustrating means for actuating the type actions, and means for releasing the arrested shift key under the control of an actuated type action and universal bar.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A shift key lever 1 carries a shift key 2 and is mounted on a fulcrum member 3 for angular movement between the illustrated normal position into which the shift key means 1, 2 are urged by spring 4,

and a depressed actuating position. A stop 5 limits movement of the shift key means 1, 2.

When shift key 2 is depressed, its arresting portion 48 is engaged by a shoulder 49b of, an arresting portion 49a of a lever portion 49 of an arresting lever 67 mounted on a pivot 50 and biassed by spring 51 into engagement with arresting portion 48. Shift key lever 1 has a bent portion 54 cooperating with a stud 58 on lever portion 49 so that, when shift key 2 is very shortly depressed further down from its actuated and arrested position, portion 54 engages stud 58 and turns lever portion 49 with arresting lever 67 in clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, so that arresting portion 49a releases arresting portion 48, and spring 4 can return shift key means 1, 2 to the normal position illustrated in FIG. 7 before spring 51 reengages arresting portions 48, 49a.

A control lever 53 with an end portion 66 is mounted on a stationary pivot 66a for angular movement and is biassed by a spring 660 to abut a stop 66b. A wire link 52 is connected at one end with control lever 53 and is operatively connected at the other end with typing means including type bars 94 and the conventional universal bar 135 and shortly before the printing impact, wire by the universal bar 135 which also actuates the escapement mechanism, not shown. The shifted link 52 of the machine in such a manner that upon conclusion of a type actuation, link 52 is moved to the left turns control lever 53 to a position in which portion 66 engages arresting lever 67 and turns the same in clockwise direction whereby arresting portion 49a releases arresting portion 48 of the actuated and arrested shift key 2.

FIG. 8 illustrates the conventional operation of the type bars 94 and universal bar 135 under the control of a type key 2a.

A lever 123 is mounted on a shaft 125 supported by type carrier 93 and connected by a link 127 with an intermediate lever 131 whose lower end is mounted on a pivot 129 while its upper end is pivotally connected with a lever 133 secured to the universal bar 135.

A type action includes a type bar 94, also shown in FIG. 1, and an intermediate lever 96 connected with type bar 94 by a wire link 95. Intermediate lever 96 is connected to a drive lever 97 by a joint including an oblong bearing hole 96a and a journal boss 97a on drive lever 97 which abuts in a position of resta stop 100 under the action of a spring 98. When a type key lever la is actuated, drive lever 97 is angularly displaced by the projection 101 of type key lever 1a and released by stop 100. Drive lever 97 is now pulled by spring 98 to abut with projection 102 on a releasing bail 103 so that bail 103 turns together with lever 90, which is fixedly secured thereto, in clockwise direction so that lever 90 operates the trigger lever 91 to start the clutch 92. Bail 103 and lever 90 are both fixedly secured to a rotary shaft 121. Lever 90 has a projection 107 on which a bent over portion 109 of release lever 91 rests in the position of rest of the bail 103.

When lever 90 is turned in clockwise direction, projection 107 turns away from portion 109. The trigger lever 91 is turned by spring 111 in clockwise direction about shaft 113 so that pin 115 releases clutch 92 in the usual manner. Cam slot 117 returns pin 115 and thereby the releasing lever 91 automatically to the position of rest after a revolution of shaft 119.

The downward movement of a type key'lever la is normally limited by the bail 57. In order to effect a case shifting movement of type carrier 93 by a type key lever la, movement of the type key lever 1a beyond the point of engagement with vbail 57 is necessary. During such movement, shift key lever 1 is moved by wire link 68 and lever 70 to its arrested position. Therefore, it is not necessary to operate shift key 2 to obtain a case shift which can be also effected by any type key 20.

When due to the engagement of clutch 92, type bar 94 is operated, it engages and displaces universal bar 135 which causes actuation of the escapement mechanism, not shown, in the usual manner. At the same time, the motion of the universal bar 135 is transmitted through the linkage 133, 131, 127, 123 to the wire link 52 which turns control lever 53 so that end portion 66 engages lever 67 which turns to a position in which arresting portion 49a releases arresting portion 48 of shift key 2, permitting shift key 2 to return to the position of rest under the action of spring 4.

When clutch 92 is actuated, a bail 99, only partly shown, is released for'angular movement so that the edge 104 engages the connecting shoulder 105 of drive lever 97 and transmits a driving impulse to drive lever 97, and thereby to the type action 94, 98.

The shift key lever 1 has a fixed pin 6 located in the slot of a fork-shaped end portion 7a of the arm 7 of an actuating member 9 which is mounted for angular movement on a shaft 8, and has first and second actuating arms 10 and 11 ending in bent projections 12 and 13. Upon operation of shift key 2, actuating means 1, 6 to 13 is operated, and actuating member 9 is moved from its normal position shown in FIG. 1 to a releasing position shown in FIG. 2. In the depressed position of shift key 2, connecting member 16 is held by projection 13 of actuating arm 11 until shift key lever 1 returns to the initial position. When shift key lever 1 is actuated by a type key lever 1a, the same operation takes place. If shift key 2 is shortly moved farther do'wn'beyond its depressed arrested position, connecting member 16 is released, as will be described hereinafter. The actuating arms 10 and 11 control a gear clutch means C which includes a motor driven drive gear 64 cooperating with a clutch gear 24 which has a peripheral gear rim 24a interrupted at diametrical points to form cutouts 25 and 26 in the gear rim 240.

As best seen in FIG. 6, clutch gear 24 has on one side a cam 65 with an endless cam track 27, shown in broken lines in F 1G. 1, cooperating with a cam follower roller 65a which is mounted on the segment-shaped carrier 93, on which the type bars 94 are mounted so that upon turning of clutch gear 24 with cam 65, the type bars 94, are moved between the lower case position and the upper case position. The cam track 27 is formed in accordance with ahigher sinoid function to obtain movement of the type action carrier 93 at a controlled speed out of and to its lower case and uppercase positions.

Clutch gear 24 also has a hub portion 24b with a square shaft end portion 14 on which a cam 28 having an endless cam track 29 is fixedly mounted. Cam track 29 has two diametrically disposed recesses 29a, 29b of which only one recess 29a is fully shown in FIG. 1, part of cam 28 being broken off in FIG. 1 for the sake of clarity. Cam track 29 and its recesses 29a, 29b cooperate with the cam follower roller 310 at the end ofone arm of an angular arresting lever 31 whose other arm is biassed by a spring 30 so that cam follower roller 31a follows cam track 29 and tends to hold clutch member 24, 65, 28 temporarily in two angular positions. Arresting lever 31 and locking lever 18 are mounted on a shaft P.

A connector member 16 is mounted on the hub 24b of clutch member 24, 65, 28 for angular movement about the axis of shaft24d. Connector member 16 has two diametrically disposed pairs 20, 21 of gear teeth respectively located in the cutouts 25, 26 in the peripheral gear rim 24a of clutch gear 24. Connector member 16 has a stop 15 and on one side a cam 19 which has two diametrically disposed lugs 19a, and intermediate circular low camv track portions 19b cooperating with the cam follower arm 18a of a locking lever 18 which has a locking portion 62 cooperating with a projecting portion 63 of a control lever 42 mounted on a pivot 43, and being connected by wire link 74 to a lever 90 which is turned in clockwise direction by the type action 94 to 98 when a type key 2a is actuated connects control lever 42 with a blocking pawl lever 46 ending in a blocking pawl tooth 47 cooperating with gear teeth pairs 20 and 21 of connector member 16.

The leading tooth of each pair 20, 21 respectively, is smaller than the trailing tooth of each pair 20, 21 and is made slightly resilient by a slot 73. Connector member 16, and more particularly its cam portion 19, is formed with inner recesses 32, 33 terminating at one end in end faces 38 and 39. The hub 24b of clutch member 24, 65, 28 has two diametrically disposed stops 34, 35 biassed by springs 40 and 41, respectively, abutting the other end faces 36 and 37 of the recesses 32 and 33.

Shift key lever 1 has a part-circular slot 72 in which a pin 71 at the'end of a lever is located. Lever 70 is mounted for turning movement on a pivot 69 and connected by a link 68 with a bail 57 whose yoke is a bar 55, and whose arms 55a are mounted for angular movement on a stationary pivot shaft 59. A spring means 56 acts on arms 55a to turn the bail 57 to the normal position of rest abutting a stop 61. Bar 55 is thus spring loaded, and is engaged and resiliently displaced by portion 54 of shift key 2 when the same is depressed. In the normal actuated position of shift key 2, portion 54 abuts bar 55, and further downward movement of shift key 2 encounters greater resistance before portion 54 engages stud 58 and releases the arresting lever 67, which arrested shift key 2 in the actuated position by engaging arresting portion 48..

Bar 55 is not only located under shift key 2, but also under type keys 2a aligned with shift key 2. Depression of any. type key 2a will cause operation of one of the type bars 94, whereupon the type key 2a will be stopped by spring biassed bar 55. Further movement of the type key 2a will depress bar 55, angularly displace bail 57, and turn lever 70 in counterclockwise direction so that shift key lever l is displaced by the pin and slot connection 71, 72 out of its normal position of rest in the same manner as if it were actuated by shift key 2. Consequently, the type keys 2a can perform the func-' tion of the shift key 2.

7 OPERATION members 7 to 13 are moved to a releasing position in which abutment projection 12 moves out of the way of stop 15 on connector member 16 which is biassed by springs 40 and 41 so that connector member 16 turns to the position of FIG. 2 until end faces 38 and 39 abut stops 34 and 35. The two pairs 20 and 21 of teeth of connector member 16 move into the cutouts 25, 26 in the gear rim 24a of clutch gear 24 so that the same is coupled with the drive'gear 64, and is driven to rotate. The engagement of gear teeth 21 with drive gear 64 is facilitated by the reduced size of the leading tooth of the pair 21, and by the resiliency of the same caused by the slot 73.

The free space between the stops 34 and 35 and the end faces 38 and 39 in the position of rest shown in FIG. 1 is selected so that the pairs 20,21-of teeth just fit into the cutouts 25,26 of the gear rim 24a. When clutch gear 24 starts to rotate, driven by drive gear 64, cam 65 cooperates with the follower roller 65 1 on the type carrier 93, to raise the same to the upper case position in which cam follower roller 65a is located at one of the extremities of the endless cam track 27 of-cam 65.

Actuator arm 10 with abutment 12 is held in the releasing position shown in FIG. 2 since shift key 2 is 7 arrested by shoulder 49b of arresting lever portion 49 in the depressed actuating position, not shown. The abutment 13 on actuator arm 1 1 is in the releasing position of the actuating means 1, 6 to 13 located in the path of movement of stop 15 of connector number 16 so that after turning of the clutch member 24, 65, 28 through 180, stop 15 runs against abutment projection 13, as shown in FIG. 4, and stops further rotation of connector member 16 which is thus returned to the initial position shown in FIG. 1. Connecting member 16 is blocked by abutment projection 13 until shift key lever 1 has returned to its initial position. Connecting member 16 is also released when shift key lever 1 is moved further downward from its normal depressed position, displacing element 57. Since the pair of teeth 20 no longer covers the cutout 25 in the position of FIG. 4, the connection between drive gear 64 and clutch gear 24 is interrupted, and the clutch means C stops. The cam follower arresting roller 31a engages a recess 29!) in the cam track 29 of cam 28 which is fixedly connected with the coupling gear 24, see FIG. 6, so that the same is stopped in an exactly determined position due to the force exerted by spring 30 on arresting lever 31. The recess 29b in cam track 29 shown in FIG. 4 is diametrically opposite the recess 29a in cam track 29 shown in FIG. 1 engaged by arresting roller 31a.

During rotation of cam 65 and operation of the case shift of the type carrier 93, the cam follower arm 18a of locking lever 18 slides on the recessed part-circular cam track portion 19b after having dropped thereon one from cam lug 19a due to the action of spring 17. In the position of FIG. 4, the cam follower arm 18a engages the other cam lug 19a of cam 19.

In the position of locking lever 18 shown in FIG. 2, during the case shift operation, the stop portion 63 of locking lever 42 is located opposite locking lever 18, so that a push on link 74 cannot displace control lever 42 which abuts locking lever 18 after turning a small angle and before coupling 92 is released. When lever 42 is no longer blocked by locking lever 18 as shown in FIG. 3, coupling 92 engages and the respective type'action is operated, which means that the command type" is stored. As shown in FIG. 1, link 74 is connected by lever with the release trigger 91'of a type action coupling 92, and is urged to the left when a type key 2a is operated and a typing operation of the respective type, action is started. Link 74 cannot move to the left, since locking lever 42 cannot turn in clockwise direction in the locked position of FIG. 2 in which control lever 42 is blocked by locking lever 18, so that it is not possible to operate a type action during the case shift operation. When this operation has been completed, and the type bars 94 are in the upper case position, locking lever 18 engages cam lug 19a and is turned to the position shown in FIG. 4 in which control lever 42 is tumable so that a type key lever 1a can be actuated for operating a type bar 94 to print an upper case character.

Assuming that a typing operation has been started, but not completed, when the shift key 2 is operated in too rapid succession, the case shift operation is prevented by blocking pawl lever 46. Upon operation of link 74 with control lever 42 from the typing means 2a, 90,91,92 control lever 42 turns to the position of FIG. 3, which is possible since locking lever 18 is still held by cam lug 19a. The motion is transmitted by link 44 to blocking pawl lever 46 which moves to the position of FIG. 3, which shows actuating arm 10 with abutment 12 in the releasing position caused by actuation of shift key 2 in the same manner as in FIG. 2. When blocking pawl lever 46 moves to the blocking position shown in FIG. 3, pawl tooth 47 is located in the pathof movement of the leading tooth of the pair of teeth 20 of connector member- 16 which, in the initial position shown in FIG. 3, is still spaced a distance a from blocking pawl tooth 47. The action of springs 40 and 41 effects movement of connector member 16 until the leading tooth of the pair of teeth 20 has moved the distance a and abuts blocking pawl tooth 47. In this position, the leading tooth of the pair of teeth 21 of the connector member 16 is still spaced from drive gear 64 so that clutch gear 24 is not driven'with the case shifting cam 65. However, stop 15 has moved to a position, not shown, located inwardly of abutment 12 of actuating arm 10, so that the same cannot turn back to its normal position under the action of spring 4.

When the typing operation has been completed, and link 74 moved back to the right to turn blocking pawl lever 46 to the inoperative position shown in FIG. 1, springs 40 and 41 turn connector member 16 further to the position of FIG. 2 which is possible since actuator arm 10 is held by stop 15 in the releasing position, and cannot block stop 15 as in the position of rest shown in FIG. 1. The additional movement of connector member 16 moves the pair of teeth 21 into engagement with drive gear 64 so that the clutch means C is rotated and the case shift is effected by cam track 27 of cam 65 cooperating with cam follower roller 65a on the type carrier 93. It will be seen that the command start of shifting operation has been stored until the started typing operation has been completed, and is automatically carried out upon completion of the previously started typing operation so that the next following typing operation will result in the typing of an upper case character. The case shift operation is automatically delayed until a started typing operation has been completed, and is then carried out.

Assuming that upon actuation of shift key 2, a case shift operation has been performed, clutch means C remains stopped in the position shown in FIG. 4 while the type carrier 93 is held by cam 65 in the upper case position.

When in this position of the mechanism, a type key 2a is operated, control lever 66 is operated by linkage 52 to shift arresting lever 67 to a releasing position in which arresting portion 490 releases arresting portion 48 of shift key 2 so that the same is returned by spring 4 to its normal position shown in FOG. 1. This displacement causes displacement of the actuating means 1, 6 to 13 from the releasingposition of FIG. 4 to the normal position of FIG. 1, and springs 40 and 41, which were tensioned by stops 34, 35 while clutch member 24, 28, 65 was driven by drive gear 64, turn clutch member 24, 28, 65 to the normal position shown in FIG. 1 in which stop 15 again abuts abutment 12 of actuating arm as shown in FIG. 1. During this turning movement, cam 65 turns to a position in which a lower portion of its endless cam track 27 permits cam follower roller 65a to move down with the type carrier 93 so that following typing operations result in the printing of lower case characters. After each typing operation, wire link 52 turns lever 53. If several characters are to be typed in the upper case position, each operated key 2a must be moved below the position abutting the member 57,55. v

If it is desired to move the type carrier 93 from the upper case position to the lower case position without actuation of a type key 2a, shift key 2 is depressed beyond its actuated and arresting position in which portion 54 abuts bar 55. Such further downward movement against the action of spring 56 results in engagement of portion 54 with stud 58 so that portion 490 of arresting lever 67 releases shift key 2 to move to its normal position under the action of spring 4. For releasing the arresting portion 48, arresting lever 67 must be turned in clockwise direction. Spring 51 not only returns arresting lever 67 in counterclockwise direction, but also effects arresting of shift key lever 1 in its second position.

Since a row of type keys 2a is located above the spring biassed bar 55 in the same manner as shown for the shift key 2, the case shift can be accomplished by operation of any type key 20 without use of the shift key 2 which remains at first in the normal position shown in FIG. 1. Any depressed type key 2a will start a typing operation when its lower end abuts the spring biassed bar 55. When the respective type key 2a is further depressed, overcoming the resilient resistance of spring 56, turning of bail 57 about shaft 59 causes counterclockwise turning of lever 70 so that pin 71 in slot 72 of shift key lever 1 moves the same whereby the actuating means 1, 6 to 13 are displaced in the same manner as if they would have been operated by shift key 2, which moves with shift key lever l downward until portion 48 is arrested by portion 49 of arresting lever 67. The shifting of the typewriter to the upper case position by the clutch means C can only start after the typing operation started by the respective type key 2a has been completed, due to the function of the control means 42 cooperating with locking means 18, 19. The use of the type keys 2a for initiating case shift operations, results in a considerable increase of the typing speed.

In order to permit a short actuation of shift key 2 in a manner equivalent with the actuation of a type key 2a, connector member 16 of FIG. 4 can be replaced by a connector member 116, having diametrically disposed pairs 120,121 of gear teeth and being formed with an endless cam groove 178 as shown in FIG. 5. A lever 189 has a cam follower stud 180 located in the cam groove 178, and lever 189 is operatively connected with shift key lever 1, as described for lever 9 shown in FIG. 1. Shift key lever 1 and actuating members 189, 180 are moved after a very short actuation of shift key 2 to a releasing position in which cam follower stud 180 moves out of the way of stop l78b on connector member 116 which is biassed by springs 40 and 41. Connector member 116 is coupled with drive gear 64 and is driven to rotate as described with reference to FIG. 2. When clutch gear 24 starts to rotate and is driven by drive gear 64 cam 178a cooperates with the follower stud 180 on the lever 189 to bring the shift key lever I automatically to the arresting position. Cam follower stud 180 abuts the edge 179 of cam groove 178 in the shifting position, see FIG. 5 and only after shift key lever 1 has been released, lever 189 is moved by connector member 116 to the position shown in FIG. 5. Cam 178a is secured to clutch gear 24 and corresponds to cam shown in FIGS. 1,6 and 7.

A conventional shift lock key, not shown, may be provided for locking the shift key 2 in the actuated position.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of case shift control apparatus for typewriters differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a case shift control apparatus provided with interlocks preventing simultaneous case shift and typing operations, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. Case shift control apparatus for a typewriter, comprising shifting means for effecting a case shift operation of the typewriter; actuating means for actuating said shifting means; a plurality of type key means associated with different characters, and a plurality of type actions actuated by said type key means, respectively, each type key means being movable between a normal first position, an actuated second position for actuating the respective type action to cause a typing operation, and a third case shift position for operating said actuating means to actuate said shifting means for effecting a case shift operation; and resilient stop means engaged by said type key means insaid second actuated position for indicating by resiliently stopping said type key means that a typing operation has taken place, so that upon application of an increased manual force to any one of said type key means in said second actuated position, said resilient stop means resiliently yields whereby the respective type key means moves to said third case shift position, and effects a case shifting operation of the typewriter utilized upon movement of an other type key means to said second actuated position. I

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuating means include a shift key lever having a first normal position and a second actuated position for causing a case shift operation of the typewriter; comprising arresting means for arresting said shift key lever in said second actuated position; wherein said type key means in said third case shift position move said shift key lever to said second actuated position of said shift key lever; and comprising means connecting said type key means with said arresting means so that said arresting means release said shift key lever when said other type key means has been moved to said second actuated position of said other type key means.

3. Case shift control apparatus for a typewriter comprising, in combination, rotary clutch means including a drive member, a clutch member, a connector member rotatable between a retracted position in which said drive member is separated from said clutch member, and a coupling position in which said drive member is connected with said clutch member for rotation, and biassing means urging said connector member to said coupling position, said connector member having an endless cam track; case shift means operated by said clutch member while rotating to effect a case shift operation of the typewriter; shift key means movable between a normal and an actuating position; actuating means operable by said shift key means and having a normal position retaining said connector member in said retracted position, and being moved by said shift key means in said actuating position to a releasing position releasing said connector member for movement to said coupling position, said actuating means in said releasing position engaging said connector member after turning movement of said connector member with said clutch member through a predetermined angle for moving said connector member back to said retracted position after said case shift has been effected; and cam follower means guided by said cam track of said connector member and operatively connected with said actuating means for moving said actuating means to said normal retaining position after said actuating means has been moved to said releasing position by a short actuation of said shift key means to said actuating position whereby said shift key means can be operated in the same manner as type keys.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising resilient arresting means for arresting said shift key means in said actuating position; typing means including a plurality of type key levers, and a plurality of type actions operated by said type key levers; wherein each type key lever is movable from a normal position to a second actuated position for operating the respective type action, and beyond said second actuating position 2. to a third position; and wherein any one of said type key levers has means releasing in said third position said arresting means so that said shift key means returns to said normal position.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising a plurality of type key levers having a normal first position, an actuated second position, and a third case shift position; spring biassed means engaged by said type key levers when said type key levers are in said actuated position, and resiliently displaced by said type key levers during movement to said third case shift position; and connecting means connecting said spring biassed means with said actuating means so that during resilient displacement of said spring biassed means, said actuating means is moved to said releasing position whereby a case shift operation can be started by any type key lever movedagainst the resilient resistance of said spring biassed means to said case shift position.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said drive member is a drive gear, wherein said clutch member includes a clutch gear having an interrupted gear rim with at least one cutout, and wherein said connector member has gear teeth located in said cutout only in said coupling position so that first said connector member and then said clutch gear are driven by said drive gear in said coupling position. i

7. Case shift control apparatus for a typewriter comprising, in combination, rotary clutch means including a drive member, a clutch member, a connector member rotatable between a retracted position in which said drive member is separated from said clutch member, and a coupling position in which said drive member is connected with said clutch member for rotation, and biassing means urging said connector member to said coupling position; case shift means operated by said clutch member while rotating to effect a case shift operation of the typewriter; shift key means movable between a normal and an actuating position and beyond said actuating position to a release position; a spring biassed member disposed undersaid shift key means and being engaged and resiliently displaced by said shift key means during movement of said shift key means from said actuating position to said release position; actuating means operable by said shift key means and having a normal position retaining said connector member in said retracted position, and being moved by said shift key means in said actuating position to a releasing position releasing said connector member for movement to said coupling position, said actuating means in said releasing position engaging said connector member after turning movement of said connector member with said clutch member through a predetermined angle for moving said connector member back to said retracted position after said case shift has been effected; typing means including first control means and second control means; locking means operated by said connector member in said coupling position to lock said first control means and thereby said typing means so that said typing means cannot be operated during a case shift operation, and can be operated in said retracted position of said connector member when the case shift operation has been completed; and arresting means for arresting said shift key means in said actuating position, said arresting means including a spring biassed arresting lever having an inoperative position abutting said shift key means, and an arresting position for arresting said shift key means in said actuating position; said second control means including a control lever operable by said typing means after completion of the typing operation to move said arresting lever to said inoperative position so that said shift key means is released for movement tosaid normal position when a typing operation of said typing means has been completed; said shift key means engaging in said released position said arresting lever and moving said arresting lever to said inoperative position independently of said second control means.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first control means include blocking pawl means having an inoperative position, and a blocking position located in the path of movement of said connector member to said coupling position, said blocking pawl means moving to said blocking position when said typing means vwith said first control means is operated in said retracted position of said connector member so that said connector member cannot move tosaid coupling position under the control of said shift key means while said typing means are operative.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first control means includes blocking means for blocking movement of said connector member to said coupling position only during operation of said typing means; and wherein said actuating means,'when moved to said releasing position by said shift key means during operation of said typing means, are retained by said connector member in said releasing position so that said connector member can move to said coupling position when said blocking means is retracted after completion of the typing operation.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, said typing means comprising a plurality of type keys movable to actuated positions, and beyond said actuated positions to case shift positions; wherein said type keys engage and resiliently displace said spring biassed member during movement to said case shift positions, respectively; and comprising connecting means connecting said spring biassed member with said actuating means so that displacement of said spring biassed member by any one of said type keys effects movement of said actuating means to said releasing position so that case shift operations can be initiated by any one of said type keys.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said spring biassed member includes a bar under said type keys and said shift key means, and arms at the ends of said bar, means pivotally mounting said arms, spring means connected with said arms, and stop means for said arms so that said bar is held in a normal position from which it can be resiliently displaced; and wherein said connecting means include a lever operatively connected with said arms and, having a coupling pin; and wherein said actuating means includes a key lever carrying said shift key'me'ans and having an elongated slot in which said coupling pin is located.

12. Case shift control apparatus for a typewriter, comprising, in combination, rotary clutch means including a drive member, a clutch member, a connector member rotatable between a retracted position in which said drive member is separated from said clutch member, and a coupling position in which said drive member i s connected with said clutch member for rotation, and iassmgmeans urging said connector member to said coupling position, said connector member having an endless cam track; case shift means operated by said clutch member while rotating to effect a case shift operation of the typewriter; shift key means movable between a normal and an actuating position; actuating means operable by said shift key means and having a normal position retaining said connector member in said retracted position, and being moved by said shift key means in said actuating position to a releasing position for releasing said connector member for movement to said coupling position, said actuating means in said releasing position engaging said connector member after turning movement of said connector member with said clutch member through a predetermined angle for moving said connector member back to said retracted position after said case shift has been effected; cam follower means guided bysaid cam track and operatively connected with said actuating means for moving said actuating means to said normal retaining position after said actuating means has been moved to said releasing position by a short manual actuation of said shift key means to said actuating position; typing means including a plurality of type key levers having a normal position, an actuated position, and a case shift position; and means connecting said typing means with said shift key means so that when any one of said type key levers is moved to said case shift position, said shift key means is moved to said actuating position. 

1. Case shift control apparatus for a typewriter, comprising shifting means for effecting a case shift operation of the typewriter; actuating means for actuating said shifting means; a plurality of type key means associated with different characters, and a plurality of type actions actuated by said type key means, respectively, each type key means being movable between a normal first position, an actuated second position for actuating the respective type action to cause a typing operation, and a third case shift position for operating said actuating means to actuate said shifting means for effecting a case shift operation; and resilient stop means engaged by said type key means in said second actuated position for indicating by resiliently stopping said type key means that a typing operation has taken place, so that upon application of an increased manual force to any one of said type key means in said second actuated position, said resilient stop means resiliently yields whereby the respective type key means moves to said third case shift position, and effects a case shifting operation of the typewriter utilized upon movement of an other type key means to said second actuated position.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said actuating means include a shift key lever having a first normal position and a second actuated position for causing a case shift operation of the typewriter; comprising arresting means for arresting said shift key lever in said second actuated position; wherein said type key means in said third case shift position move said shift key lever to said Second actuated position of said shift key lever; and comprising means connecting said type key means with said arresting means so that said arresting means release said shift key lever when said other type key means has been moved to said second actuated position of said other type key means.
 3. Case shift control apparatus for a typewriter comprising, in combination, rotary clutch means including a drive member, a clutch member, a connector member rotatable between a retracted position in which said drive member is separated from said clutch member, and a coupling position in which said drive member is connected with said clutch member for rotation, and biassing means urging said connector member to said coupling position, said connector member having an endless cam track; case shift means operated by said clutch member while rotating to effect a case shift operation of the typewriter; shift key means movable between a normal and an actuating position; actuating means operable by said shift key means and having a normal position retaining said connector member in said retracted position, and being moved by said shift key means in said actuating position to a releasing position releasing said connector member for movement to said coupling position, said actuating means in said releasing position engaging said connector member after turning movement of said connector member with said clutch member through a predetermined angle for moving said connector member back to said retracted position after said case shift has been effected; and cam follower means guided by said cam track of said connector member and operatively connected with said actuating means for moving said actuating means to said normal retaining position after said actuating means has been moved to said releasing position by a short actuation of said shift key means to said actuating position whereby said shift key means can be operated in the same manner as type keys.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising resilient arresting means for arresting said shift key means in said actuating position; typing means including a plurality of type key levers, and a plurality of type actions operated by said type key levers; wherein each type key lever is movable from a normal position to a second actuated position for operating the respective type action, and beyond said second actuating position to a third position; and wherein any one of said type key levers has means releasing in said third position said arresting means so that said shift key means returns to said normal position.
 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprising a plurality of type key levers having a normal first position, an actuated second position, and a third case shift position; spring biassed means engaged by said type key levers when said type key levers are in said actuated position, and resiliently displaced by said type key levers during movement to said third case shift position; and connecting means connecting said spring biassed means with said actuating means so that during resilient displacement of said spring biassed means, said actuating means is moved to said releasing position whereby a case shift operation can be started by any type key lever moved against the resilient resistance of said spring biassed means to said case shift position.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said drive member is a drive gear, wherein said clutch member includes a clutch gear having an interrupted gear rim with at least one cutout, and wherein said connector member has gear teeth located in said cutout only in said coupling position so that first said connector member and then said clutch gear are driven by said drive gear in said coupling position.
 7. Case shift control apparatus for a typewriter comprising, in combination, rotary clutch means including a drive member, a clutch member, a connector member rotatable between a retracted position in which said drive member is separated from said clutch member, and a coupling position iN which said drive member is connected with said clutch member for rotation, and biassing means urging said connector member to said coupling position; case shift means operated by said clutch member while rotating to effect a case shift operation of the typewriter; shift key means movable between a normal and an actuating position and beyond said actuating position to a release position; a spring biassed member disposed under said shift key means and being engaged and resiliently displaced by said shift key means during movement of said shift key means from said actuating position to said release position; actuating means operable by said shift key means and having a normal position retaining said connector member in said retracted position, and being moved by said shift key means in said actuating position to a releasing position releasing said connector member for movement to said coupling position, said actuating means in said releasing position engaging said connector member after turning movement of said connector member with said clutch member through a predetermined angle for moving said connector member back to said retracted position after said case shift has been effected; typing means including first control means and second control means; locking means operated by said connector member in said coupling position to lock said first control means and thereby said typing means so that said typing means cannot be operated during a case shift operation, and can be operated in said retracted position of said connector member when the case shift operation has been completed; and arresting means for arresting said shift key means in said actuating position, said arresting means including a spring biassed arresting lever having an inoperative position abutting said shift key means, and an arresting position for arresting said shift key means in said actuating position; said second control means including a control lever operable by said typing means after completion of the typing operation to move said arresting lever to said inoperative position so that said shift key means is released for movement to said normal position when a typing operation of said typing means has been completed; said shift key means engaging in said released position said arresting lever and moving said arresting lever to said inoperative position independently of said second control means.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first control means include blocking pawl means having an inoperative position, and a blocking position located in the path of movement of said connector member to said coupling position, said blocking pawl means moving to said blocking position when said typing means with said first control means is operated in said retracted position of said connector member so that said connector member cannot move to said coupling position under the control of said shift key means while said typing means are operative.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first control means includes blocking means for blocking movement of said connector member to said coupling position only during operation of said typing means; and wherein said actuating means, when moved to said releasing position by said shift key means during operation of said typing means, are retained by said connector member in said releasing position so that said connector member can move to said coupling position when said blocking means is retracted after completion of the typing operation.
 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, said typing means comprising a plurality of type keys movable to actuated positions, and beyond said actuated positions to case shift positions; wherein said type keys engage and resiliently displace said spring biassed member during movement to said case shift positions, respectively; and comprising connecting means connecting said spring biassed member with said actuating means so that displacement of said spring biassed member by any one of said type keys effects movemenT of said actuating means to said releasing position so that case shift operations can be initiated by any one of said type keys.
 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said spring biassed member includes a bar under said type keys and said shift key means, and arms at the ends of said bar, means pivotally mounting said arms, spring means connected with said arms, and stop means for said arms so that said bar is held in a normal position from which it can be resiliently displaced; and wherein said connecting means include a lever operatively connected with said arms and having a coupling pin; and wherein said actuating means includes a key lever carrying said shift key means and having an elongated slot in which said coupling pin is located.
 12. Case shift control apparatus for a typewriter, comprising, in combination, rotary clutch means including a drive member, a clutch member, a connector member rotatable between a retracted position in which said drive member is separated from said clutch member, and a coupling position in which said drive member is connected with said clutch member for rotation, and biassing means urging said connector member to said coupling position, said connector member having an endless cam track; case shift means operated by said clutch member while rotating to effect a case shift operation of the typewriter; shift key means movable between a normal and an actuating position; actuating means operable by said shift key means and having a normal position retaining said connector member in said retracted position, and being moved by said shift key means in said actuating position to a releasing position for releasing said connector member for movement to said coupling position, said actuating means in said releasing position engaging said connector member after turning movement of said connector member with said clutch member through a predetermined angle for moving said connector member back to said retracted position after said case shift has been effected; cam follower means guided by said cam track and operatively connected with said actuating means for moving said actuating means to said normal retaining position after said actuating means has been moved to said releasing position by a short manual actuation of said shift key means to said actuating position; typing means including a plurality of type key levers having a normal position, an actuated position, and a case shift position; and means connecting said typing means with said shift key means so that when any one of said type key levers is moved to said case shift position, said shift key means is moved to said actuating position. 